Table and bench assembly



R. E. KANITZ TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLY Dec. 3, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 9. 1961 963 R. E. KANlTZ 3,112,954

TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 9, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z Z' lg 31 28 u L 8 13 a \28 f 11 26 INVENTOR.

R. E. KANITZ TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLY Dec. 3, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 9. 1961 I mvom R0 15. Kanzif w m 3 M 1 L f wa 2m x W 1 91V 31g Dec. 3, 1963 R. E. KANlTz TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 9, 1961 INVENTOR.

United States Patent Ofifice 3,112,954 Patented Dec. 3, 1963 3,112,954 TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLY Roy E. Kanitz, Two Rivers, Wis., assignor to Hamilton Manufacturing Company, Two Rivers, Win, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Nov. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 151,305 11 Claims. (Cl. 297-159) This invention relates generally to tables and bench assemblies, and more particularly to a table and bench assembly which may be folded.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel folding assembly of a table and bench, which will fold into a relatively compact assembly for easy transport and storage.

Another object is to provide a table and bench assembly of the foregoing character, which may be readily moved manually between open and closed positions.

It is a further object to providea novel folding table and bench assembly which is self-supporting independently of the table top and the bench sections to permit easy replacement thereof.

Still another object is to provide a novel transversely folding table and bench assembly wherein, when the assembly is in a folded condition, the bench sections are disposed in substantially the same vertical planes as and in substantial horizontal alignment with the corresponding table top sections.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description tflen in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a table and bench assembly embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view, somewhat enlarged, of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 and taken substantially along the line '3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1 with the table and bench assembly positioned in the completely folded position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the table assembly with the table top sections and bench sections rernoved;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 4 and taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial sectional View of the structure shown in FIG. 1 and taken substantially along the line 77 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 7 and taken along the line 88 of \FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 6 and taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the table and bench assembly with the table top sections and bench sections removed and with the assembly in a partially folded position.

Generally, a table and bench assembly embodying the invention comprises a unitary supporting structure with table top and bench sections removably secured thereto. The unitary supporting structure is arranged to support the table top sections in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in open position and to support the bench sections in pairs at the respective sides of the table top sections, the bench sections of each pair also being positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in open position. When the assembly is in folded or closed position, the table top sections are vertically disposed in parallel planes, and the bench sections are positioned in substantially the some planes with the table top sections and at the same height as the table top sections, the bench sections and table top sections being of substantially the same length.

The unitary supporting structure is of the general type described in the copending US. patent application in the name of Claude G. Kanzelberger et al., Serial No. 128,- 034, filed July 31, 1961. It is completely operative in and of itself and does not require the table top sections and bench sections to secure its parts together in operative relation. Thus, table top and bench sections of dilferent surface finishes or different colors may be readily mounted on the unitary supporting structure, and in case of damage to a table top or bench section, it may be readily replaced without disturbing the operative parts of the assemb-ly.

The unitary supporting structure includes a pair of table top supporting means, one for each table top section and each comprising a pair of elongated aprons to which a table top section is removably secured. The unitary supporting structure also includes two pairs of bench supporting means, one for each bench section and each comprising a pair of elongated aprons to which a bench section is removably secured. The pair of table top supporting means are positioned in horizontal end to-end relation and the bench supporting means of each pair are similarly positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation, when the assembly is in open position.

The unitary supporting structure further includes a pair of end leg supports and a center leg support. Each end leg support is pivotally connected to the outer ends of one of the bench supporting means of each pair at their outer ends, and the center leg support is pivotally connected to the pair of table top supporting means at their adjacent ends. A pair of rails are provided which are pivotally connected to the outer ends of the table top supporting means and to the end leg supports, and a pair of slide means are plvotally connected to the two pairs of bench supporting means at their adjacent ends and are slid-ably connected to the center leg support. IA. pair of stretcher bars are located below each pair of bench supporting means in parallel relation thereto and are pivotally connected to the respective end leg supports and to one of slide means. Equalizing means is also provided for holding the center leg support in a vertical position, and counter-balancing means is included to counter-balance the weight of assembly as it is moved toward open position and to assist in moving the assembly toward closed position.

To describe the structure in detail, each end leg support (see FIGS. 1 and 2) for the table and bench assembly comprises a horizontal crossbar 10, a pair of table supporting members 11 and a pair of bench supporting members 12. The table supporting members 11 are somewhat U-shaped with one thereof substantially longer than the other, the shorter arrns being at the outer sides of the support adjacent the bench supporting members 12. The members 11 are secured, in spaced apart relation to each other, to the crossbar 10 as by welding. The longer arms of the table supporting members 11 are provided for supporting the table top and are interconnected by a brace 13.

The ends of the crossbar 1.0 are bent to extend lengthwise of the table. The lower ends of the bench supporting members 12 are also bent to extend lengthwise of the table and are secured in a side-by-side relationship'to the bent ends of the crossbar 10 to receive casters 14, so that the casters at one end of the assembly are spaced a substantial distance from those at the other end of the assembly when in closed position to provide stability. The upper end of each bench supporting member 12 and the upper end of the shorter arm of each table support- 3 ing member 11 are curved toward the adjacent end of the assembly, as shown in FIG. 1.

The center leg support (see FIGS. 3 and comprises a pair of L-shaped members 17 facing oppositely to each other and interconnected by a cross member 18. The cross member 18 interconnects the vertical portion of each member 17 adjacent the lower parts thereof. A cap member 20 is mounted on the upper end of the vertical portion of each member 17 and is secured thereto by bolts 21. Rigidly mounted on each cap member 20 is a cross piece 19 in the form of an inverted channel with the upper end of the cap member fitting within the channel.

Attached to and upstanding from the outer ends of the horizontal portions of the L-shaped members 17 are a pair of uprights 44 of a length substantially equal to the length of the bench supporting members 12 plus the height of the casters 14. The lower ends of the uprights 44 may be provided with floor-engaging plastic caps 22.

As heretofore mentioned, the assembly includes a pair of table top supporting means positioned in end-toend relation when the assembly is in open position. In the present instance, each table top supporting means comprises a pair of laterally spaced elongated aprons in the form of angles. The adjacent ends of the aprons 25 are pivotally secured to the opposite ends of the cross pieces 19 of the center leg support by pins 26. The two pairs of aprons 25 are pivotally supported at their outer ends by two U-shaped rails 27. The two arms of each rail '27 are pivotally connected near their ends to a pair of the aprons 25 by pins 28 and to the longer arms of an adjacent pair of table supporting members 11 of an end leg support by pins 29.

The assembly also includes two pairs of bench supporting means, the supporting means of each pair being positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in the open position. Each bench supporting means comprises two bench aprons 30 which are pivotally mounted on an end leg support. The two aprons 30 are rigidly fastened together as by a plurality of braces 33 which are welded to the aprons. The pivotal mounting means of each end leg support for the two aprons 30 of each bench supporting means includes a pin 32 that extends through holes formed through the two aprons and the upper end of the bench supporting member 12 and the shorter arm of the table supporting member 11. As previously stated, the upper end of the shorter arm of the member -11 and the upper end of the member 12 are curved toward the adjacent end of the assembly.

The inner ends of the aprons 30 are slidably connected to the center leg support. Each mounting means includes a bracket 24 that is pivotally secured to the aprons at both ends of the bracket by pins 31 (see FIGS. 1, 5 and 6). A tubular slide member 23 is fastened to the underside of each bracket 24 between a channel-shaped cross brace 24a. Each tubular member 23 fits over one of the uprights 44 in telescoping relation, and these members 23 have a length substantially equal to the length of the bench supporting members 12 so that the aprons are horizontal when the members 23 and the uprights 44 are in fully telescoped relation.

The end leg supports and the center leg support are further interconnected by two pairs of stretcher bars 35. The inner end of each stretcher bar 35 is pivotally connected as by pins 38 to a bracket 37 which, in turn, is secured to one of the slide members 23 intermediate its ends. The outer end of each stretcher bar 35 is pivotally connected by a pin 39 to a bracket 49 fastened to the shorter arm of one of the table supporting members 11.

To maintain the center leg support in a vertical position, equalizing means in the form of two pairs of links 36 is provided. One end of the links 36 of each pair is pivotally connected to opposite ends of a bracket 41 by pins 42. The bracket 41 is secured to the lower end of each upright 44 of the center leg support. The other end of each link 36 is pivotally mounted on a pin 43 that extends through the bench aprons 30 of one bench supporting means.

A latch mechanism 47 is further provided to hold the assembly in the open position. This mechanism includes a pawl 47a. pivotally mounted on the lower end of one of the slide members 23, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6. In the open position of the assembly, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pawl 47a engages the underside of the adjacent bracket 41 when the assembly is to be locked open. Since this bracket is fastened to one of the uprights 44, the two telescoping members are prevented from moving relative to each other. To move the assembly to the closed position, the pawl 47a is moved out of engagement with the bracket 41, which permits the side members 23 to move upwardly.

Counterbalancing means in the form of a plurality of torsion springs 49 may be also provided. Each of the torsion springs 49 is wound around a portion of one of the bolts 31 (FIGS. 7 and 8) connecting the bench aprons 30 to the brackets 24, and has one end engaging the apron and the other end engaging the bracket. The torsion springs 49 are wound and tensioned to assist in moving the assembly to the closed position and to counterbalance the weight of the assembly when it moves to the open position. While a varying number of torsion springs may be used, depending on the weight of the assembly and the strength of the spring, four such springs are shown at each side of the assembly in the present instance.

Since the assembly previously described is a complete unit and self-supporting, independently of the table top and bench sections, the top and bench sections may be provided in a variety of surface finishes and colors and be easily replaced. The table top includes a pair of sections which are mounted on the table aprons 25. The sections 45 may be secured to the aprons 25 by a plurality of screws which extend through holes formed in the aprons 25 and into the underside of the table top sections 45. Two pairs of bench sections 46 are also provided which may be mounted on the bench aprons 30 in a similar fashion.

When the assembly is in the open position, the table top sections 45 are in end-to-end horizontal alignment. The adjacent ends of the sections 45 bear against rests 19a, FIGS. 1 and 9, secured to the upper surfaces of the cross pieces 19 of the center leg support. As the assembly is moved from the open position shown in FIG. 1 to the closed position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slide members 23 move upwardly relative to the uprights 44 due to the action of the four links 36. The slide members and uprights remain vertical and the brackets 24 remain horizontal as the brackets rise to the level of the cap members 20.

As the assembly is closed, the rails 27 rotate around the pins 29 through an angle of approximately 180, which causes the outer ends of the table aprons 25 to move downwardly and inwardly. Since the inner ends of the bench aprons move upwardly relative to the adjacent ends of the table aprons and the outer ends of the table aprons move downwardly relative to the adjacent ends of the bench aprons, the table aprons and the bench aprons are at the same level when the assembly is in the closed or folded position. Conversely, when the assembly is moved to the open position, the table aprons rise to a higher level than the bench aprons.

Two pairs of angle-shaped stops 50 (FIG. 9) are secured to the underside of the four table aprons 25 in order to limit the rotational movement of the rails 27 when the assembly is being moved to the closed position. These stops 50 are positioned to bear against the sides of the rails 27 and prevent further rotation of the rails after vertical alignment of the table aprons 25 and the bench aprons is attained. Additional stops 50a are secured to the aprons 25 to prevent further rotation of the rails 27 after the assembly has been moved to the open position. These stops 50a, FIGS. 2 and 9, have inwardly projecting portions 50b which bear against the sides of the arms of the rails 27 when the arms extend upwardly, as shown in FIG. 2, and the assembly is in the open position.

If desired, the height of the table top sections may be made adjustable. This can be accomplished by providing additional holes 23a, FIG. 2, in the longer arms of the table support members 11 for the pins 29 and additional holes 34, FIGS. 3 and 9, in the vertical portions of the L-shaped members 17 for the pins 21. The height of the rails 27 and the cap members 20 could then be adjusted in a vertical direction when the assembly is open by pulling out the pins 29 and 21, lowering the table top sections, and inserting these pins into the holes 29a and 34. When the table top sections have been lowered in this manner, however, the table top and bench sections will not be at the same level when the assembly is in the closed position.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a novel and useful folding table and bench assembly has been provided. The supporting structure for the table top and bench sections is completely self-supporting so that damaged sections may be easily replaced. When the assembly is in the open position, the table top sections are in horizontal alignment and the bench sections are in horizontal alignment and spaced downwardly from the table top sections. When the assembly is in the closed position, the table top section and the bench sections at each end of the assembly are in substantially the same vertical plane and at the same height. Counterbalancing means is also provided to make the assembly easily movable between the open and closed positions, and a latch enables the assembly to be locked in the open position.

I claim:

1. A folding table and bench assembly comprising a unitary supporting structure having a pair of table top supporting means and two pairs of bench supporting means, said unitary supporting structures being operable between open and closed positions and also including a pair of end leg supports, each pivotally connected to one of each pair of bench supporting means, a center leg support pivotally connected to both of said pair of table top supporting means, a pair of rails each pivotally connected to one of said table top supporting means and to one of said end leg supports, and a pair of slide means each pivotally connected to one pair of said bench supporting means and slidably connected to said center leg support, a pair of table top sections mounted on the respective table top supporting means, and two pair of bench sections, each pair being mounted on the respective bench supporting means of one pair.

2. A folding table and bench assembly operable between open and closed positions and comprising a pair of table top sections positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in open position, two pairs of bench sections, the sections of each pair of bench sections being positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation below and at one side of said table top sections when the assembly is in open position, a pair of end leg supports, means pivotally connecting each end leg support to one of each pair of bench sections, a center leg support, means pivotally connecting said center leg support to each of said table top sections at their adjacent ends, a pair of rails each pivotally connected to one of said end leg supports and to one of said table top sections adjacent its other end, a pair of slide means, each pivotally connected to one pair of bench sections at their adjacent ends and slidably connected to said center leg support, and two pairs of stretcher bars, each pair being pivotally connected to the respective end leg supports and to one of said slide means below one of said pairs of bench sections, said table top sections being movable to a substantially vertical position substantially parallel to each 6 other and said bench sections being movable into the same planes with said table top sections when the assembly is moved to closed position.

3. A folding table and bench assembly according to claim 2 in which said means pivotally connecting each end leg support to one of each pair of bench sections includes a pair of aprons secured to the underside of each bench section and extending lengthwise thereof, and said means pivotally connecting said center leg support to each of said table top sections includes a pair of aprons secured to the underside of each table top section in laterally spaced relation to each other and extending lengthwise of the table top section.

4. A folding table and bench assembly according to claim 3, in which each end leg support includes a pair of laterally spaced vertically extending arms, and each of said rails comprises a U-shaped member with the arms of the U pivotally connected adjacent the bottom of the U to the respective arms of the end leg support and with the ends of the arms of the U pivotally connected to the aprons for one table top section.

5. A folding table and bench assembly according to claim 3, in which each of said end leg supports comprises a crossbar at the lower part of the end leg support, bench supporting means extending upwardly from the respective ends of said crossbar and respectively pivotally connected to the aprons for the bench sections, and table supporting means extending upwardly from the central portion of said crossbar and pivotally connected to one of said rails, said table supporting means being spaced relation to the bench supporting means at the respective ends of said crossbar to facilitate access of a person to the bench sections.

6. A folding table and bench assembly according to claim 3, in which said center leg support comprises a pair of L-shaped members facing oppositely to each other and laterally of the assembly with the vertical arms in spaced relation to each other and the horizontal arms extending outwardly therefrom, the upper ends of the vertical arms being pivotally connected to the aprons of the table top sections, means rigidly connecting said vertical arms, and said L-shaped members having uprights at their outer ends with said pair of slide means slidably mounted on said uprights.

7. A folding table and bench assembly according to claim 2, in which each of said rails comprises a U-shaped member movable between a generally upright position when the assembly is in an open position and a generally inverted position when the assembly is in a closed position.

8. A folding table and bench assembly according to claim 7, in which each of said rails is pivotally connected adjacent at one of its ends to its associated end leg support and at its other end to its associated table top section whereby on movement of the rail to its inverted position the associated table top section is lowered relative to the end leg support.

9. A folding table and bench assembly operable between open and closed positions, comprising a pair of table top sections positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in open position, two pairs of bench sections, the sections of each pair of bench sections being positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation below and at one side of said table top sections when the assembly is in open position, a pair of end leg supports, means pivotally connecting each end leg support to one of each pair of bench sections, a center leg support, said center leg support being pivotally connected to each of said table top sections at their adjacent ends, means connecting said center leg support to each of said bench sections and adapted to raise the adjacent ends of said bench sections relative to the adjacent ends of said table top sections when the assembly is moved to its closed position, and a pair of means each connecting one of said end leg supports to one of said table top sections adapted to lower the remote ends of said table top sections relative to the remote ends of said bench sections when the assembly is moved to its closed position, said pair of means each comprising a rail pivotally connected to a table top section and pivotally connected to an end leg support, each of said rails rotating between diiierent positions upon opening and closing movements of said assembly.

10. A folding table and bench assembly as in claim 9, wherein the pivotal connection of each of said rails and an end leg support has a first axis and the pivotal connection of each of said rails to a table top section has a second axis, said first axis being fixed relative to said end leg support and said second axis being fixed relative to said table top section, and said first axis is below said second axis when said assembly is in said open position and above said second axis when said assembly is in said closed position.

11. A folding table and bench assembly as in claim 9, wherein each of said end leg supports comprises a pair of spaced apart generally vertical members, and one of said rails is positioned between said vertical members, each rail being U-shaped and pivotally connected to said vertical members and to said table top sections, the pivotal connection with said vertical members being adjacent the bottom of the U and the pivotal connection with said table top section being adjacent the ends of the arms of the U.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,560,109 Hines July 10, 1951 2,721,778 Wilson Oct. 25, 1955 2,764,460 Nelson Sept. 25, 1956 2,766,089 Nielsen Oct. 9, 1956 2,771,937 Wilson Nov. 27, 1956 2,878,859 Howe et al. M2111 24, 1959 2,909,399 Wasson et a1 Oct. 20, 1959 2,992,043 Nelson July 11, 1961 

1. A FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A UNITARY SUPPORTING STRUCTURE HAVING A PAIR OF TABLE TOP SUPPORTING MEANS AND TWO PAIRS OF BENCH SUPPORTING MEANS, SAID UNITARY SUPPORTING STRUCTURES BEING OPERABLE BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS AND ALSO INCLUDING A PAIR OF END LEG SUPPORTS, EACH PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO ONE OF EACH PAIR OF BENCH SUPPORTING MEANS, A CENTER LEG SUPPORT PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO BOTH OF SAID PAIR OF TABLE TOP SUPPORTING MEANS, A PAIR OF RAILS EACH PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID TABLE TOP SUPPORTING MEANS AND TO ONE OF SAID END LEG SUPPORTS, AND A PAIR OF SLIDE MEANS EACH PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO ONE PAIR OF SAID BENCH SUPPORTING MEANS AND SLIDABLY CONNECTED TO SAID CENTER LEG SUPPORT, A PAIR OF TABLE TOP SECTIONS MOUNTED ON THE RESPECTIVE TABLE TOP SUPPORTING MEANS, AND TWO PAIR OF BENCH SECTIONS, EACH PAIR BEING MOUNTED ON THE RESPECTIVE BENCH SUPPORTING MEANS OF ONE PAIR. 